Young Adult · Ages 18–29 · 7 min

Your First Investment Moves

The best investment strategy is the one you actually start. Index funds, IULs, and Roth IRAs each have a role. The key is to start — and to understand what you own.

Key Decisions at This Stage

→Open a Roth IRA if you qualify (income under $146k for 2024).

→Contribute at least enough to your 401k to get the full employer match.

→Learn the difference between term+invest vs permanent life before choosing.

Concepts You Need to Know

Roth IRA

An individual retirement account where you invest after-tax dollars. Growth and withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. Contribution limit: $7,000/year (2024).

Index fund

A fund that tracks a market index (like the S&P 500). Low fees, diversified, and historically outperforms most managed funds over 20+ years.

IUL (Indexed Universal Life)

A permanent life insurance policy that builds cash value linked to a market index, with a floor protecting against losses. Provides both protection and tax-advantaged growth.

Take Action Now

Contribute 15% of income toward retirement (including employer match).

Open a Roth IRA at a brokerage and invest in a total market index fund.

Ask your agent: "Which makes more sense for my situation — term+invest or an IUL?"

Want a personalized plan?

Connect with a licensed agent who can apply these concepts to your specific numbers.

Access Your Client Portal

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